As the Allied armies of the Three Empires suddenly began to ebb away like retreating waves, Halbert Dong and the others stationed at the fortress stared in astonishment for a moment, gazes meeting without words—none had any idea what had just occurred. While they stood in shock, however, a thunderous wave of cheers erupted across the fortress. Thousands upon thousands who’d already accepted the bitter fate of imminent annihilation simply let loose their overwhelming emotions. Their joy at surviving impending death resounded up amongst the heavens.
“It seems the Allied Forces of the Three Nations have finally withdrawn…,” Halbert Dong let out a prolonged exhale, speaking through evident relief.
“I wonder how Xiao Yan managed to convince the Leader of the Poison Sect,” said Jia Xing Tian, pursing his lips in contemplation. Despite that, his face betrayed obvious delight regardless. They all understood that if conflict had truly erupted today, even with Xiao Yan and Medusa watching over them, the alliance still would’ve been at a disadvantage in terms of sheer manpower due to the Allied armies’ daunting overwhelming presence.
“Regardless of how it came to pass though, the war which had dragged on these past twelve months seems finally ended and the Kingdom of Jiamar still endures, thank the heavens,” Xiao Ding chuckled as he gently pressed his fingers at his temples.
“Hehe, but with our name spreading now, our炎盟 (Yan Alliance) alongside the Jamar Empire will definitely command a new degree of respect after today. To stand against Three Holy Sects solely on one alliance’s might alone—a deed such as this deserves full credit when we attend the Western Regional Sect Competition. That sort of respect will definitely wipe away every past mockery thrown our way by those arrogant rivals previously,” Halbert Dong added optimistically.
Indeed, when considering how back in prior years even the Yun Lan Sect of the Jamar Empire struggled for recognition in those events—encountering not a small dose of sideways glances—it made sense; within a sea of mighty martial sect elites, an outfit such as the Yunlan Sect—with not even but a single Battle Sect ranked disciple—held scarcely a place worth taking notice of.
At these words, Jia Xing Tian and Fatma alike nodded in unison with knowing grins. Undoubtedly the Jamar Empire would stand taller today than perhaps ever prior.
In the skies above, hearing the mighty cheering below Xiao Yan allowed a breath of content, before glancing sideways to smile at Medusa: “These past months have been hard on you. I really appreciate it.”
“You never fail to gather an astonishing set of old friends from the most obscure circumstances, it seams,” replied Medusa coldly, slight inflected envy hiding under otherwise indifferent tones. Xiao Yan exhaled wryly. “Merely someone from back along the way. Honestly, even I hadn’t foreseen she’d reach this point on the path.”
“You speak truth,” Medusa mused, shooting another sideways look. “I sensed her strength back in the battle a while ago; that energy felt very reminiscent of a prior meeting on the Mountains, many moons back.”
Nodding quietly at first, Xiao Yan shifted to study the distant fortress silhouette again then. “Anyway—we should head back, the war over, finally time for the Jamar people’s exhausted souls to catch breath,” He said. As soon as they were on his voice’s tail end, Xiao Yan turned his body swiftly, zipping straight towards the fortress walls with his momentum breaking the space before him. Medusa didn’t falter an instant behind, chasing swiftly in turn. .…………
And just as decisively—the war ended swiftly became glad news sweeping across lands within Jamar Imperial Borders with startling quickness; a great shift had been averted—the dread of having to flee their land and endure a migratory life never realized fully in those hearts which had so prepared for that tragedy. The battle had come and gone, while names like the great “Fire Prodigal—Xiao Yan” and the mighty “Snake Demon Goddess Medusa”—echoed again like wildfire throughout commoners and warriors alike as legends reborn.
Through their growing infamy this time, the炎盟 itself swelled even faster—a surge of new recruits both individual followers eager to stand with glory behind them, as well as smaller struggling clans and factions now seeking stability in their growing arms—each newly initiated member basking in that shared honor whenever they now stepped forth proudly amongst former rival powers across society’s stages.
As joy rang clear above the fortress walls, deeper within its council chamber the battle-weary forms of Halbert, Jia, Xiao Ding, and others finally collapsed wearily upon their ornate seats. With none left to guard their backs or anticipate an ambush, at this point they could finally let down their weary shields to rest their hearts.
The council hall held few indeed within, just those central pillars around the炎盟. Xiao Yan sat in the high seat now occupied after a long hiatus, eyes moving steadily across all present exchanging greetings at the start while casual discussions warmed up a bit between them. It wasn’t too long, though before his gaze fixed on Halbert Dong, tone gradually settling in solemnity now.
“Within the time we fought this past year… Did the Hall of Souls appear at all?”
Undoubtedly the most dreaded faction within the land stood the Hall of Souls—the greatest driving factor behind the炎盟’s very establishment as a shield intended specifically for the family of Xiao Yan himself—the Hall never ceased hunting his legacy or the fabled treasure his line possessed.
Halbert Dong solemnized further as Xiao Yan mentioned this.
“No,” He finally grumbled with a nod, “Ever since Yun Lan disbanded into obscurity within Jamar Kingdom territory there came… no whisper—not even once—of any new news regarding the Hall.”
Upon hearing this Xiao Yan exhaled fully now too before falling into deep, silent musing again. Naturally the Hall’s interest remained fixated solely upon retrieving the “Tusha Gu Di Jade Stone”—they had to want nothing more but that stone still—and thus the group all presumed they’d never cease chasing that stone entirely. The thought gnawed at Xiao Yan then: after a near-full revolution cycle around time without a breath of movement. Did something prevent the sect from continuing their hunt against Xiao’s legacy? What powerful forces occupied their focus for so extended a delay?
For a while, Xiao Yan let his thoughts wander fruitlessly upon the mystery, until at last he gave up and shook the confusion from his mind.
He cast a side look upon old Halbert’s form now again. “It seems Master Halbert has approached the threshold peak of Battle Emperor himself already, and who knows—with not too long a wait—you’ll breach into Battle Sect itself.”
Halbert gruffly shook his head. “You’re far too optimistic, my boy… It’s no easy feat indeed; even an old codger like Master Jia here spent years lingering at Battle Emperor without progress to push higher!”
Xiao Yan chuckled softly at his grumpy words before shifting eyes once more to Xiao Ding at his side, now turning the conversation with a lighter tone. “So tell me then brother, just exactly how vast has our炎盟 stretched these days within?”
Xiao Ding smiled and clasped his hands warmly before answering: “We’ve set down roots pretty well, spreading influence nearly into every major and secondary mid-sized city across Kingdom lines already.”
“Within the chaos of all-out war last year? You’ll be amazed how fast branches of every sort—commercial, medicinal—grew. All those new arms and limbs added strength upon strength for our炎盟.”
He paused only a brief moment for breath before continuing, his voice now rising into warm confidence as he carried on painting their alliance’s transformation: “We already approach roughly forty elite Dou Wang fighters within盟内 (our alliance). Dou Huan levels? Somewhere under a dozen.
“And in that same span we also cultivated our very own developmental system—a nurturing foundation named the ‘炎脉 (Yan Vein)’ for rising warriors who passed intensive screening; only the most promising talents and skilled young individuals make such ranks. The future’s brightest will all wear the炎盟 badge within years.”
Then came the business front, led under our friends like the Mister Clan—and the Dan Division established thanks to those numerous Alchemist allies originally under the now-defunct Alchemy Association. With their potions supporting the armies and warriors all day and throughout these months—this battle could not have prolonged without their invaluable support.
As Xiao Yan sat back with this news, eyes now opening just a little wider than previously, the scale suddenly felt… immense. Even he—a man of grand vision and early confidence—who still hadn’t foreseen exactly such rapid and vast expansion so soon. When laid bare like a detailed scroll, their炎盟 had already exceeded beyond what he thought the “Xiao Men” in their former years once did in terms not just strength within Jamar Kingdom but influence. Of course, the strength Xiao Men harbored was no paltry matter: supported as it was via an entirely different source through the “Pan Men”—that promising youth pool from deep within the heart of the Alchemy Institute’s inner sect, each selected with great standards.
After absorbing every detail presented before his eyes, Xiao Yan eventually voiced his final curious concern with soft, lingering thoughtfulness, his voice carrying a tinge of distant longing.
“What of the Xiao family bloodlines—has all been well?”
At that Xiao Ding just let laughter echo from his chest again.
“With an outstanding patriarch like you still in charge? Can it truly not flourish?”
That final phrase spoke truth loud across their empire; within the borders today, the Xios were not only widely acknowledged—as the kingdom’s dominant noble household—but the reason stood before him; their single most outstanding warrior bore their lineage. A mighty warrior leading the whole炎盟, the Xiao Yan Emperor.
He drew a long breath of cool air. “Whenever the moment feels suitable… send messages for our younger ones training at the Inner Academy. If they wish now, let them return home, for our family now possesses power enough to hold its grounds within safety.”
Happily nodding along, Xiao Ding added: “Indeed—might as well send that news off to Xiao Men so Elder Xiaoxun will no longer rush toward the frontlines expecting further war.”
Xiao Yan chuckled at this as he rose slowly from the table while waving a dismissing hand gently before he turned to exit. “Now the main fighting is over, handling what remains can be left in all your capable hands—as for the炎盟, its future rests securely yours indeed.”
That said with casual detachment, Xiao Yan departed—his footsteps taking him swiftly beyond the great meeting chamber entrance with ease as whispers and soft complaints rose behind him as those behind shot sidelong grins filled with exasperated chuckles amongst all ranks:
“That guy, running off again like the typical boss that just delegates away all duties again as always…”
In moonlit darkness over the Black Hill Bastion now silent from battle’s chaos, this massive stone citadel still gave that lurking animal impression in silhouette under silvered starlight—yet its usual air filled warblood now replaced gently with a hush calm unshakable this night. Upon an undistinctive nearby hill overlooking its walls sat Xiao Yan cross-legged, bathed under pale, soothing moonlight. Each breath drawn in deep now brought not battle-throes but instead clarity like a mirror undisturbed rippled over thought and mind alike.
Behind this tranquil figure rested Medusa against a tree casually slumped. Those two piercing,妖红(hellish crimson) eyes roamed the surrounding land restlessly for but moments—before her voice rose again lazy:
“She’s still hasn’t come—yet. Might as well accept—tonight might just be an outright disappointment.”
“You really didn’t have to trouble yourself in coming with me,” Xiao Yan returned, still silent as he gazed unshiftingly at the distant path in quiet confidence. “Not like she’d try sinking her blades through a peaceful meeting place… Now would she?”
“A knowing heart never makes blind guarantees,” retorted Medusa with a skeptical huff while shifting again, “If ever she truly wished it, this quiet evening might prove as excellent an opportunity to strike at last. The sudden attack… one well-placed killing stroke beneath tonight’s full-moon glow—would send the empire crumbling in an instant tomorrow morning if that was her goal.”
Xiao Yan chuckled low at that but then, mid-mirth—his senses shifted, a subtle fluctuation tickling just at the fabric of distant void itself.
Instinctively head twisting sideways as the heavens beyond hills shimmered with sudden rippling energy, soon revealing a white-silhouetted figure emerging beyond horizon. With every single measured step against void winds—a figure slowly closing in upon her arrival. And just like that in moments, she stood mid-air hovering effortlessly above their small hill sanctuary.
Tonight, the form of Little Healer Immortal bore a set flowing white-robes, with long silver threads cascading her back in a waterfall of snow like silk woven from starlight itself. Her dual shades—eyes deep gray-purple shimmered against glowing moonlit radiance. A stark contrast against her often cold demeanor seen by those back at the battlefield; a much gentler side—less sharp in its icy demeanor this soft expression.
Right now, she seemed far closer to that gentle, innocent girl Xiao Yan first encountered back at Qing Shan Town during those younger days—so very many seasons ago.
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